Eddie Jones says losing Quade Cooper would be 'almost criminal'

QUADE Cooper being cast out of Australian rugby is "almost criminal" and the ARU should review their treatment of players or risk other stars following him, according to Eddie Jones.

The strong views of the former Wallabies coach emerged yesterday as the ARU finally spoke out on the Cooper saga, rejecting speculation the Queenslander had been offered a "rookie contract" and denying allegations of a toxic relationship between the ARU and Cooper.

ARU high performance boss David Nucifora, a central figure in player contracting, said there was no attempt to drive Cooper out of Australian rugby and reports of a paltry contract offer were wrong.

"If we didn't want Quade we wouldn't have made him an offer," Nucifora said in Italy, where he is in camp with the Wallabies.

"It's a substantial amount of money that I think any player would be happy to accept to be honest. I see this thing about a rookie contract, there's no rookies in Australian rugby that earn that sort of money. It's a substantial contract. It's not a rookie contract, it's substantial."

Nucifora would not elaborate on details of the incentive-based components of Cooper's contract, but it is understood they are not simply match-payments; instead further lump-sum payments based on a certain number of Tests being played.

Following reports of Cooper quitting rugby, the 24-year-old and manager Khoder Nasser have not returned phone calls this week, said Nucifora.

But Jones said he was aghast Australian rugby officials were content to see the sublime talents of Cooper leave the country.

"To think Australian rugby is going to cast him away is almost criminal," Jones said. "Who can play at the level he can play at? Not too many.

"If we are the stage where a kid aged 24 wants to leave the country, then it is a problem. It is a major problem.

"They have to look how they treat players, look at the problems of why he is so unhappy, and try to fix them. Because he mightn't be the only one."

Jones said Australia had not yet seen the best of Cooper, and any differences between the ARU and the player should be worked out.

"Australian rugby can't afford to lose that talent," Jones said. "As a standoff five-eighth, he is still in his learning stages. Dan Carter is 30 now and is playing better than he's ever played. There's no doubt in four or five years, we're going to be seeing his best rugby.

"There are some differences with the coach, but I am sure that's the case in every sport. You can work with that.

"They should try to be worked out. He needs to be back in the fold, playing for Queensland and, if he's good enough, back for Australia."

Nucifora denied a toxic relationship still existed between Cooper and the ARU, following the $40,000 fine handed out for criticism of the Wallabies.

"I think if it was (toxic) there wouldn't have been anything put to him," Nucifora said.

"I think the fact that there's an offer being given to Quade is enough to suggest that people have moved on and are ready to rebuild things. But again we can't force him to accept any offer, we can't force him to come and speak to us. The ball is totally in his court to make a decision."

Jones, who admitted to having contact with Nasser, may have indicated what Cooper's future entails however; and it could spell out a return to Queensland and the Wallabies.

Asked if he felt Cooper was lost to Australian rugby, Jones said: "I don't. You are never lost, mate.

"If he does go to Japan, plays two years up there and comes back, he'd be 26, new regime and maybe play some of the best Test rugby you've seen."